Posted By James Kwasnik On June 4, 2010 @ 3:10 pm In On the DL,Player moves | Comments Disabled

Say goodbye to Gary Matthews Jr. and say hello again to Ruben Tejada. In a move that many expected, Luis Castillo was placed on the 15-day disabled list for his ailing feet, which made room for Tejada.

Perhaps what wasn’t expected is the call-up of Omir Santos to fill the roster spot left vacant by Matthews Jr. This means the Mets will have three catchers on its 25-man roster instead of another outfielder. Many thought this might be the opportunity for Jesus Feliciano to make his debut, but perhaps the Mets brass wanted him to keep playing every day instead of being a bench player. It’s a curious move given that Santos hasn’t been producing as well as he did last year, actually having been demoted from Triple-A Buffalo to Double-A Binghamton, where languished even further.

For Matthews Jr., it’s about time. It took the Mets much too long to dump Frank Catalanotto, and now they’ve done the same for Matthews Jr. It’s time someone else get a chance to make an impact on the team instead of holding a roster spot hostage. You hear that Oliver Perez?

Below is the official release of the roster moves:

The New York Mets today announced that they have placed infielder Luis Castillo on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to June 2, with a bruised right heel and recalled infielder Ruben Tejada from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League. Castillo underwent a CT scan yesterday at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery which was negative. The Mets also designated outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. for assignment and recalled catcher Omir Santos from Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League.

Tejada will wear #11 and Santos will wear #9 and both will be available for tonight’s game vs. Florida.

Tejada, 20, made the Mets Opening Day roster and appeared in three games, including one start on April 9, going 1-6 (.167) with one walk and one strikeout. He was the youngest position player to make the Mets Opening Day roster since Tim Foli in 1971. Tejada was optioned to Buffalo when Jose Reyes returned to the team on April 10. The 5-11, 160-pounder hit .294 (50-170) with 21 runs scored, eight doubles, one home run, 11 RBI, 10 walks and 28 strikeouts in 51 games for the Bisons. Since May 1, Tejada has batted .311 (33-106). He made 46 starts at shortstop and four starts at second base for the Bisons.

Santos, 29, began the year at Buffalo, hitting .194 (7-36) with two runs scored, four doubles, and two RBI in 10 contests. He was optioned to Binghamton on May 6. In eight games with the B-Mets, the 6-0, 213-pounder hit .074 (2-27) with one double and three RBI.

Santos batted .260 (73-281) with 14 doubles, seven home runs and 40 RBI with the Mets in 2009 while being named to the Topps All-Rookie team.

Castillo is hitting .241 (34-141) with one double, two triples, 14 RBI and a .347 on-base percentage in 44 games this year for the Mets.

Matthews, Jr. hit .190 (11-58) with three doubles and one RBI in 36 games for New York.